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HUNDREDS ignored chilly weather to stand in solidarity with victims of human trafficking in Bloomsbury on Tuesday.

The Russell Square event was organised by Conservative councillors Kirsty Roberts and Claire-Louise Leyland.

Cllr Roberts said: “Black History Month is a brilliant time to be doing this because people think that slavery is over but it’s not. There are more slaves walking around right now than there were in the slave years.

“Trafficked people are walking past you every day, and people need to remember that. The women living above you who never get out? Ask questions, think about it, don’t just let it go.”

Speakers on Tuesday included musician Phil Knight, actor-director Richard Clifford and representatives from the Metropolitan Police and Railway Children charity.

Detective Sergeant Kieron Tiddy, of Camden Police’s community safety unit, warned: “Come the Olympics in 2012 we are going to have to target three things: the brothels, especially the many in Bloomsbury, the victims and the ports.”

Pictured: (from left) Cllr Claire-Louise Leyland, Andy McCullough, from the Railway Children charity, Cllr Kirsty Roberts and Phil Knight from the band